The
Walter Johnson High School
May 27, 2010
Pitch
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6400 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda, Md. 20814
Volume 54 | Issue 9
“With absolutely awe and amazement, I wandered through the Fine Arts festival, seeing works of art that rival some hanging in galleries around the world.” - Ann Gradowski, WJ Parent
Four Teachers Leave WJ Staff
Lucia Daubresse Last year, foreign language teacher Lucia Daubresse left WJ for a one-year position in the MCPS Central Office as the Spanish for Spanish Speakers curriculum reviser. After resuming her position as a French and Spanish teacher at WJ this past year, Daubresse has accepted a more permanent instructional specialist role and will leave WJ for at least four years. While looking forward to her new job opportunity, Daubresse will miss the many good experiences she has had over her ten years here. “[A favorite memory was] scaring my French 5 students on Halloween, when I jumped out of the closet dressed as a rock star and sang ‘Quand la musique est bonne’ by Jean-Jacques Goldman,” she said. Daubresse will also miss the annual tradition of her students signing her yearbook, as well as the great school productions. Most importantly, she says she will miss her “wonderful colleagues and students.” Currently, the administration is in the process of finding Daubresse’s replacement, a challenge because the teacher must be a dual-language instructor. By Eleanor Janhunen
Esther Adams By Ava Bleiberg WJ’s annual Fine Arts Festival was held from May 18 to 20 in the small gym which, after long hours put in by the art department, was transformed into an art gallery with hundreds of student-made art covered displays and tables throughout the space. “The Monday and Tuesday of festival week students hang their work and completely fill the cavernous gym with art,” said photography teacher Dan Kempner. “Every student who takes an art class has work showcased in the festival; the more advanced students are given more space to hang their work.” The WJ atmosphere is very supportive of student endeavors, such as “The Art of Dairy” Lucerne competition, an annual competition for which students submit artwork. The finalists replicate their designs on a life-size ceramic cow, courtesy of Lucerne dairy products. Sophomore Jaynie Chartrand’s design, painted by Chartrand along with seniors Stephanie Tan and Julia Baumgart, was displayed in the art show. The art department encourages students to venture into forms of art they have not yet explored and tap into their creativity. “If it was not for my art teachers and classmates, I would not have even considered going into art as a career,” said Baumgart. “I learn more and more each year not only from my teachers who are so knowledgeable and experienced, but also from my classmates. The communication and sup-
port that exists in the WJ art department is amazing.” While there is a high level of satisfaction evident among the students of the art department, suggestions for improvement have been made. Baumgart attributes a lack of sufficient resources and equipment to the downturn of the economy, citing the fact that students do not have a sufficient amount of quality supplies and they only recently received new ones. However, teachers and students do not allow the lack of material to interfere with their creative. “In all honesty, it comes down to what you can create out of the resources you have and what you choose to accept to further your own artistic vision,” said senior Thor Buntin. “From the display at this year’s art show alone, clearly we have enough equipment to see to students producing amazing art.” According to art teacher Liz Stafford, WJ’s recent modernization has provided far better lighting in the small gym, improving the quality of the Fine Arts Festival. Additionally, the construction of lab G28 has allowed for digital art teacher Paul Engelhardt to move into his own space. With more access to the computers, Kempner and art teacher Kim Venesky have been able to introduce digital photography into their curriculums. “As a teacher, you see art all year long but never really have an accurate concept of how everything will look together,” said Stafford. “When it is all put together, you’re just blown away and truly proud of the hard work and commitment that students put into their art.” Art courtesy of Sara Perone
Point-Counterpoint Pg. 7
College Survival Guide Pgs. 10-11
Pitch Picks Pg. 14
After teaching at WJ for seven years, social studies teacher Esther Adams has decided to take a year off to go on sabbatical. “It was a very hard decision, because I’m not unhappy or I want a change,” said Adams. “I’m just recognizing that I’m in a particular personal place where I need to step back [and reflect on life].” Over the course of her tenure, Adams has primarily taught AP World History, NSL Government and a college test prep course. She says the hardest part of leaving will be missing her students and the close relationships she has formed with the social studies department staff. Adams cites her best memories as the year her students won the College Board award for having the highest AP World History scores in the country, as well as her participation in last year’s spring musical, Footloose. “In some ways, it has gone so fast, I really can’t believe it has been seven years,” said Adams. “It has been such an amazing journey, both professionally and personally, and in that way, I really think that Walter Johnson is one of the best places to teach in the county.”
By Eleanor Janhunen
see STAFF LEAVING, page 2 World Cup Preview Pgs. 18-19